Bible Chapter: Genesis 25

Because the Bible is practical, here are some statements to get you thinking.

1.  Write one or two key thoughts that come from today’s reading.
    This chapter covers lots of territory.  After Sarah had died, Abraham married Keturah.  With her he had six sons.  But, Isaac was the child of God’s covenant and, after providing for his other sons to get established in life, Abraham gave all he had to Isaac.  This continued the promise of the covenant that would establish God’s people, the nation of Israel, and provide the line for the coming Savior.  Abraham lived for 175 years and he died.  He was buried with Sarah.
    Isaac and Rebekah had to wait twenty years before they were able to have children.  God healed her barrenness and twins were born to them. Esau was born first, then Jacob.  Esau grew up to be an outdoors-man, and Jacob was more of a homebody.  Isaac connected with Esau and Rebekah connected with Jacob.  This would eventually lead to problems.  A good lesson that parents should not have favorites.
    A key event happens at the end of this chapter.  One day Esau was out hunting and was very hungry.  Jacob had prepared some food.  When Esau asked for some, Jacob said he wouldn’t give hm any if he didn’t sell his birthright.  Esau, despising something very special, gave it away for a meal.  This would later bring major problems.  The brothers would become enemies.

2.  What can I apply in my life from the reading?
    What is valuable?   What is worth keeping?  What are priorities?  Esau didn’t have his priorities straight.  He was more concerned with the here and now than the future.  His birthright represented God’s promises and covenant and he threw it away.  Living in the very materialistic world we have, it is easy to get caught up with the thrill of the chase, gathering more things.  It is easy to pursue material pleasure rather than focusing on the eternal.  Genesis 25 covers genealogies.  God is concerned with the big picture.  We all must see that we don’t live just for ourselves, but impact the lives of many others.  All who have children have future generations that will either be blessed or hindered by what we do.  This is challenging to think of.  It must impact our choices.

3.  How can I help someone?
    What impact do our decisions make?  What affect are we having on others?  I want to help people see these questions and think of the answers.  In the life of Abraham we see many decisions.  Some were good and others were poor.  Each decision we read about impacted many people.  In fact, some of Abraham’s decisions are still impacting the world today.